Learner Tien has advanced to the final of the Next Gen Finals after defeating compatriot Nishesh Basavareddy on Saturday.
Tien, who made American tennis history in Metz earlier this year, defeated Basavareddy 4-2, 4-1, 4-3 in Jeddah.
Tien began the week with a shock loss to world number 168 Rafael Jodar, but has recovered impressively to reach the final in Saudi Arabia.
If you were in charge of tennis, what is the first rule you would change?
Tien, the world number 28, also defeated Martin Landaluce and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer in the group phase of the tournament.
By qualifying for the final on Saturday, Tien achieved something only Alex de Minaur had accomplished previously.
Learner Tien has reached the final of the ATP Next Gen Finals in back-to-back seasons
For the first time since 2019, a player has reached the final of the ATP Next Gen Finals in back-to-back seasons.
Tien, a winner of one ATP Tour title, also made the final in 2024. The American lost to Joao Fonseca 2-4, 4-3, 4-0, 4-2.
Alex de Minaur reached back-to-back ATP Next Gen Finals in 2018 and 2019.
In 2018, the Australian defeated the likes of Taylor Fritz and Jaume Munar on his way to the final. There he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas 2-4, 4-1, 4-3, 4-3.
A year later, de Minaur was back in the final after defeating American star Frances Tiafoe. In the final, he lost 4-2, 4-1, 4-2 to future world number one Jannik Sinner.
Tien has the opportunity to achieve what de Minaur could not when he faces Alexander Blockx in the final of the Next Gen Finals on Sunday.
The ‘biggest difference’ in the final of the 2019 ATP Next Gen Finals
After losing the final in 2019, the ‘Demon’ offered a frank assessment while speaking to reporters post-match.
What would have happened if Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner played at the same time as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?
De Minaur said: “I think it’s honestly a pretty simple match to evaluate. The biggest difference, I had nine breakpoints and I wasn’t able to convert any of them.
“On that basis, you know, Jannik played a really, really impressive match. He was putting me under pressure very often.
“So, look, maybe if I had gotten a couple of those breakpoints early, it would have been a completely different match but ended up being that he just played too good.”
Sinner’s title win came as somewhat of a surprise due to the fact that he was the eighth seed. The Italian echoed this sentiment in his post-tournament press conference.
“I think I’m surprised, you know, because it’s been an unbelievable week,” he began.
“All the players are unbelievable players. If not, they are not here.
“I think I was the last one. You know, I was number eight seed. So I tried to have my chances, and of course today I’m very happy about my game.”
Sinner has gone on to win four Grand Slam titles. De Minaur has reached five Grand Slam quarter-finals.
